The signatories stress that MySQL currently exerts pressure on Oracle in many market segments, and therefore it is to be expected that the database behemoth is likely to restrict further development of MySQL in favour of its own proprietary database.

They dispute the argument advanced by, among others, former MySQL AB CEO Marten Mickos, that should this happen, a MySQL fork would quickly arise, noting that this would remove the possibility of dual licensing, as only the copyright owner would be able to license the database under licenses other than the GPL. Oracle would be under no obligation to utilise income from commercial licenses for MySQL development and it would be a clear conflict of interest for the company to continue to develop a free alternative to its own proprietary database. Oracle has, according to the letter, been conspicuously silent over its plans for MySQL.